Supporting and coupling means for supply rolls



Sept. 22, 1959 J. A. BURTON ET AL 2,905,405

SUPPORTING AND COUPLING MEANS FOR SUPPLY ROLLS Filed Oct. 10, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS JOHN A. BURTON FREDERICK D. HELVERSEN JAMES B. HYDE erg? r ATTORNEYS P 1959 .1. A. BURTON ,ET AL 2,905,405

SUPPORTING AND COUPLING MEANS FOR SUPPLY ROLLS Filed Oct. 10, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JOHN A. BURTON FREDERICK D. HELVERSEN JAMES B. HYDE ATTO NEYS SUPPORTING AND COUPLING MEANS FOR SUPPLY ROLLS John A. Burton, Portland, Oreg.,, and Frederick D. Helversen, Burlingame, and James B. Hyde, San Mateo, Calif., assignors to Crown Zellerbach Corporation, San Francisco, Calif., a corporation of Nevada Application October 10, 1955, Serial No. 539,332 7 Claims. (Cl. 242-5553) This invention relates to coupling and supporting means for supply rolls of sheet material, and more'particularly to such means for supply rolls of paper or the like in dispensing cabinets.

In a known form of paper towel dispensing cabinet, a roll of paper toweling is removably supported on a supporting frame comprising spaced apart support members in the form of arms upon each of which-an end of the roll is rotatably mounted. Such towel supporting frame is generally mounted so as to be swingable from a position inside the cabinet to a position outside the cabinet when it is desired to replace a spent roll. The roll supporting frame is of sufiicient resiliency to enable the arms to be spread apart when the spent roll is to be replaced, so that the roll can be positioned between the support arms.

One of the support .arms usually carries a hub member rotatably supported thereon over which one end of the roll core is inserted in replacing the roll; while the other support arm rotatably carries special couple mechanism adapted to be coupled with a cooperable coupling device secured to the other end of the roll. Such special coupling means is desirable because it insures correct placement of the supply roll relative to the dispensing mechanism in the supply roll cabinet, to thus insure proper feeding of the sheet material, and also serves to insure proper quality of the sheet material replaced in the cabinet.

Heretofore, a problem has existed in obtaining proper registry of the rotatable coupler mechanism on one of the support arms with the coupling device on an end of the roll, because the coupler mechanism being freely journalled for rotation generally spins when the coupling device is being registered therewith, rendering it troublesome in obtaining proper registry'between' cooperable registering elements on the couple mechanism andon the coupling device.

among others, the provision of an improved coupler mechanism on a supply roll support which, althoughrotatably mounted, will automatically becomefixedly latched against rotation on the supply roll support when the core of a spent roll is removed, so that the coupling device on a fresh roll can be easily and quickly registered with the coupler mechanism, and which will be automatically unlatched and be maintained unlatched by the coupling device as long as the roll or roll core is supported thereon; and also the provision of improved means for securing the coupling device in the end .of a core of the supply roll; all of which means is of simple and economical construction that can be readily fabricated. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from a perusal of the following description.

In general, the supply roll coupler mechanism is journalled for rotation on journal means mounted on one of the supply roll supports, and carries latching mechanism which cooperates with dogging means also carried by the support. The latching mechanism includes movable means Patented Sept. 22, 1959 2 engaged by actuating means on the coupling device secured to the supply roll. When the supply roll is placed on the coupler mechanism, the actuating means serves automatically to unlatch the latching means, and thereby permit free rotation of the supply roll during use.

In this connection, the actuating means on the coupling device serves to hold the coupler mechanism unlatched during the entire time that the supply roll is mounted on the coupler mechanism. However, when the core of a spent roll is to be removed for replacement by v a fresh roll on the coupler mechanism, the coupler mechanism becomes automatically latched against rotation relative to its support immediately upon removal of the core.

Reference is now made to the drawings for a more detailed description of the invention, such drawings disclos-' ing a preferred embodiment of the coupler'mechanism and coupling device of the invention, and also illustratinvention may be employed in any other type of cabinet I 'wherein the roll is supported between spaced apart sup,-

port members, as the coupler mechanism hereof can be mounted on any type of supply roll support, and still provide the advantageous results of the invention. Also, although the supply roll is generally of paper, it may be of any other suitable sheet material.

In the drawings Fig. l is a more or less schematic longitudinal sectional view, with parts broken away to disclose more clearly the construction, of a form of dispensing cabinet; portions of the structure being omitted and the supply roll supporting frame being broken away to disclose more clearly the construction. The supply roll supporting frame is shown in phantom lines in the position to which it is moved for replacement of a fresh supply roll.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view through the coupler mechanism and the coupling device of the invention, taken in a plane indicated by line 22 in Fig. l and illustrating the position of the partswith the coupling device on one end of the supply roll .nism, a portion of the structure being broken away to il- Summarizing the present invention, it has as its objects, I

, ;which support a known type of dispensing actuatingrnechlustrate the construction more clearly.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken in a plane indicated by the line 5-5 in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the coupling device adapted to be inserted into an end of the supply roll core;

a'portion of the device being shown broken away to disclose the construction more clearly.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of the coupling device illustrated in Fig. 6. 1

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary section of the coupler mechanism, taken in a plane indicated by line 88 in Fig. 4

and illustrating in phantom lines a portion of the coupling device of-Figs. 6 and 7-connected thereto.

The form of cabinet illustrated in Fig. 1 is a common type of construction as was previously related, and comprises cabinet frame 2 fixedly attached to any suitable supporting wall or frame structure 3 and to which is pivotally connected cover 4 provided with suitable lock 6 to 1 when this is desired. Frame 2 carries two spaced apart frame plates 7 (only one of which is shown in Figs 1) anism (not shown) on their outer sides, and also pivotally support a supply roll'supporting frame 8 swingable from a position inside the cabinet when the cover is opened, to

an outside position illustrated by the phantom lines in,

Fig. 1.

Supply roll supporting frame 8 comprises a flexible metal strap 9 having at its left end (in the direction facing the front of the cabinet) an integral supply roll support arm 11, and at its right end an integral support arm 12; the arms being pivoted at 13 on frame plates 7. Each of the arms is provided with a flange 14 to serve as a stop engageable with an edge of a plate 7 for holding the supplyroll supporting frame in a fixed position inside the cabinet; and when the supply roll supporting frame is swung to a position outside the cabinet, the stop flange 14 engages another portion of the edge of such plate 7 to hold thetfr'amefixed when the supply roll 15 is to be replaced.

In the form of cabinet illustrated, frame plates 7 also carry rotatable feed rolls 16 and 17 which measure a proper amount of the sheet material 18 from the supply roll, as determined by the operation of the supply roll dispensing mechanism. Such sheet material 18 is fed downwardly from the cabinet through dispensing throat 19.. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, supply roll 15 is paper toweling Wound about the usual paperboard core 21. However, as previously mentioned, it is to be understood that the invention is applicable to any other type of sheet material supply roll.

Support arm 12 carries a pivot pin 22 upon which a hub member 23 is journalled for free rotation; one end of the supply roll core 21 being adapted to be positioned on the hub 23. To limit axial movement of the supply roll when it is placed on hub 23, the hub is formed with a flange 24. Usually in mounting the supply roll on the.

supporting frame 8, it is first positioned on hub 23. The arms 11 and 12 are capable of being spread apart for this purpose because of the flexibility and resiliency of metal strap 9; and when the roll is mounted on the arms they spring inwardly because of their resilient mounting thussupporting the roll.

For the purpose previously explained, the opposite end of the supply roll is supported on special coupler mechanism, indicated generally by reference numeral 26, which is journalled for rotation on the other arm 11 of supply roll supporting frame 8. The coupler mechanism is cooperable with a coupling device, indicated generally by reference numeral 27, secured in such opposite end of the supply roll core 21. Cooperating means is provided oncoupler mechanism 26 and on coupling device 27 for allowing free rotation of the coupler mechanism when it carries a supply roll, but which results in automatic latching of the coupler mechanism against rotation relative to itssupport when the coupling device. is disconnected; coupling device 27 having means'which automatically maintains the coupler mechanism unlatched as long as.

the coupling device is carried by the coupler mechanism.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, such automatic latching and unlatching arrangement comprises spaced apart plate members oncoupler mechanism'26, namely, an outer plate member; 28 and an inner-plate member 29. Outer plate 28 is provided, with an inwardly displaced peripheral flange 30 fixedly secured to innerplate 29 by rivets 31, thus forming a latch mechanism containing housing 32 betweenthe, plates.

For rotatahly supporting the coupler mechanism. on arm 11, the arm has fixedly secured thereto a stud member 33 fixed in any suitable manner such asxswedging at 34. Stud v33 has an outer journal portion 36 upon which outer plate .28 of the coupler mechanism is freely journalledtfor rotation. An inner portion 37 of stud 33 is non-circular incross section to provide dogging means cooperable with other parts-of latchingmechanismto, bedescribed. As

can be: seen bestfromfig; 4, inner part 37 OfStlldk33 isjnithelshape -of:.a :hexagon;to thus provide .aaplurality;

of adjacent flat dogging edges 38. The shape of the noncircular part 37 is not critical as any other non-circular shape can be employed.

For cooperating with dogging edges 38, coupler mechanism 26 carries latching means in the form of a circular metal spring plate 39-fixedly secured between plate members 28 and 29 by the rivets 31; plate 39-beingdivided by slots 41into a plurality of individual resilient elements in the form of leaf springs 42 having inner straight latching edges 43' closely adjacent the cooperating doggingedges 38 so that whenlatching edges 43are directlyover dogging edges 38, the coupler mechanism is heldiagainst rotation even though it'is rotatably mountedon journal portion36; For enhacing-the resiliency. of. leaf springs 42, each of them is provided with an aperture 44.

With reference to Fig. 5', it will be noted that in the latched position of a coupler mechanism, leaf springs 42 lie in planar relationship adjacent'inner plate 29of the coupler mechanism with their latching edges;-

43 directly over dogging edges 38; plate 29 being closely,

spaced from the inner end of stud 33 thus covering the:

same. To eifect automatic unlatching of the coupler mechanism and hold it unlatched when coupling device 27 of the supply roll is, mountedthereon, a plurality of openings 46, 46 and 46" is provided in inner plate 29 adjacent latohingedges 43. Each opening 46, 46' or 46" overliesa leaf spring 42 with at least a portion.

of the opening at a position not matching withthe aper-- ture 44in the spring.

Hence, when a matching projection 47, 47 or 4 inserted through an opening 46, 46 or 46", respectively; the latching spring 42 overlying the opening, is actuated by the projection and held at a depressed position out of dogging relationship with the cooperating dogging edge 38 as can be best seen from Fig. 2. For this purpose, a plurality of such actuating projections 47, 47 and 4 which are adapted to match openings 46, 46' and 46", respectively, is provided on the coupling device 27 to hold all the leaf springs v42 out of engagement with the dogging edges '38 when the roll is carried by the coupler mechanism, as is illustrated in Fig. 2.

Desirably for the purpose previously related, openings- 46, 46' and 46" in the coupler mechanism are of special shape and are arranged about dogging part 37 in a predetermined pattern; and the actuating projections 47, 47 and 4 on coupling device are arranged in the same predetermined matching pattern and shape. Hence, quali-ty control of the paper is insured. The pattern shown in the drawingsis merely for purposes of illustration, as it can assume any desired shape as long as the projections 47, 47' and 47 will fit the openings 46, 46' and 46", respectively and effect unlatohing of the coupler mechanism latching means. Also, in this connection, it is apparent that the number of latching springs and actuating projections can be varied.

A desirable form of coup-ling device 27 is illustrated in the'drawings, being of simple and economical construction. It is preferably made of molded plastic material but can be of any other material, such as metal.

Such coupling device comprises a hub portion 51 adapted.

to be inserted into an end of core 21 of the supply roll, and an outer integral plate member 52 which carries actuating projections 47, 47' and 47" and limits inward axial positioning of the coupling device in the roll core..

For preventing relative rotation between the roll core 21 and the coupling device when the latter is inserted into the core, and also for preventing withdrawal of the coupling device after it is once inserted into the core, it is provided on its hub portions 51 with a pluralityof peripherally arranged axially extending and radially projecting, elongated barbs 53; the barbs being positioned inspaced relationship with respect to plate'52 at the inner end of the hub 51.

Ascanbe best seen .from Fig. 6, each of the barbsais W v il uvwr of triangular cross section at any transverse section thereon and has triangularly shaped sides 54 so thatthe barbs taper both inwardly and downwardly from a triangularly shaped end 56 thereof adjacent plate 52, thus forming a relatively sharp edge 57 at the top. As a result, when hub 51 is inserted into the roll core, the resultant pointed shape of the barbs at their inner ends enables the hub to be readily inserted axially into the core while edges 57 cut into the core. However, because of the increased .size'of the barbs adjacent the plate end of the hub, the hub when fully inserted into the core, can not be withdrawn without damaging the core. At.the same time, the barbs fixedly secure the hub to the core against relative rotatable,movement with respect thereto. In this connection, it will be noted with reference to Fig. 2 that the outside diameter of hub 51 is slightly less than the inside diameter of core 21 to facilitate insertion, but at the same time prevent retraction by virtue of the larger outer ends of the barbs. With the described construction, securing of the coupling device to the core can be quickly accomplished by merely a straight one-step endwise insertion of the coupling device into the core without damaging the same.

Although the described construction for securing hub 51 in the core is desirable for the reasons noted, it is to be understood that any other type of securing means heretofore known in the art can be employed for such purpose, as long as the coupling device is provided with the actuating projections 47, 47 and 47" to accomplish automatic unlatching of the coupling mechanism and the holding of the same unlatched until a spent roll is removed for replacement.

Means is provided to facilitate registry of the actuating projections 47, 47 and 47 on coupling device 27 with the openings 46, 46' and 46", respectively of coupler mechanism 26 upon mounting of the coupling device on the coupler mechanism. Such means comprises a key member 61 in the form of an integral centering or registering lug projecting outwardly from plate member 52 of' the coupling device. This key member is of elongated, non-circular cross section with its end face 62 extending beyond the end faces of projections 47 which lie in the same plane, and it is adapted to fit without turningin'a similarly shaped slotted keyway 63 formed in coupler mechanism'26.

Key member 61 and keyway 63 are so centered, respectively, on the coupling device and the coupler mechanism, that when they are initially brought into registry, projections 47, 47' and 47" will automatically be alined with the matching openings 46, 46' and 46", respectively, so that the coupling device can be quickly mounted on the coupler mechanism. Thus, since only a single key 61 need be initially registered with a single keyway 63, this obviates the longer time which might otherwise be required in registering a multiplicity of projections with a multiplicity of openings, especially when it is considered that the parts are relatively small; plate 52 of the coupling device being in the order of about 1 inches in diameter. In this connection, since the end face 62 of key member 61 projects beyond the end faces of projections 47, 47 and 47", such projections will be free of interference when key 61 is initially registered with keyway 63.

For further enhancing the described registry, the slot, which forms keyway 63 and which is in the inner plate member 29 of coupler mechanism 26, is located adjacent an edge of such coupler mechanism, and is of elongated shape extending generally radially with the outer end thereof open at such coupler mechanism edge. This enables similarly shaped key member 61, likewise located adjacent an edge of plate member 52 of the coupling device, to be readily slipped into position during the usual angular movement of an end of supply roll 15 as it is moved edgewise with respect to coupler mechanism 26 during the mounting operation of the supply roll.

Also, the cross sectional shape-of key member 61 and keyway 63 are desirably tapered with the wide portions adjacent the edges, respectively, of the coupling device and coupler mechanism. This results during the supply roll mounting operation, in the narrow part of key member 61 entering first the wide part of keyway 63, thus further facilitating the registry. Because of this edgewise location of keyway 63, the outer plate member 28 of the coupler mechanism is provided with a relief opening 64 to accommodate key member 61. 1

It is to be understood that although the described registering or centering means is especially advantageous in the mechanism of this invention having the automatic latching means, item be employedon any roll mounting means embodying a coupling device havinga plurality of projections adapted to match with a plurality of openings in a coupler mechanism whether latchable or not.

We claim:

l. A dispensing cabinet having a pair of spaced apart supports provided with means for detachably and rotatably supporting a supply roll of sheet material,- the supporting means on one of said supports being a roll coupler mechanism automatically latchable against rotation upon removal of the roll therefrom and comprising spaced apart members fixedly secured together, one of which is journalled for rotation on said one support and another of which is provided withan opening adapted to receive a projection on a coupling device secured to said supply roll, and latching means cooperable with said coupler mechanism including a latching element adjacent said opening held by said projection at an unlatched position when the roll is supported on said coupler mechanism, said latching element being positioned between said spaced apart plate members and mounted for rotation therewith.

2. A dispensing cabinet having a pair of spaced apart supports provided with means ,for detachably and rotatably supporting a supply roll of sheet material, the supporting means on one of said supports being a roll coupler mechanism automatically latchable against rotation upon removal of the roll therefrom and comprising spaced apart plate members fixedly secured together, an outer of such plate members being journalled for rotation on said one support and an inner of such plate members being provided with an opening adapted to receive a projection on a coupling device secured to said supply roll, and latching means cooperable with said coupler mechanism including a resilient element between and supported by said plate members for rotation therewith and dogging means for said resilient element mounted on said one support, said resilient element being adjacent said opening and held by said projection at an unlatched position when the roll is supported on said coupler mechanism.

3. Means for rotatably and detachably supporting a supply roll end on a supply roll support comprising journal means supported by said support, a dogging member carried by said journal means, coupler mechanism journalled for rotation on said journal means, and means carried for rotation with said coupler mechanism automatically latching the same against rotation by engagement with said dogging member upon removal of the roll therefrom, said latter means including a movable element engageable by means on a coupling device secured to said supply roll end for automatic unlatching of said movable element when said supply roll is supported on said coupler mechanism.

4. Means for rotatably and detachably supporting a supply roll end on a supply roll support and which is automatically latched against rotation on said support when a roll is unsupported thereon to thus facilitate mounting of a fresh roll on said support, comprising a stud member secured to said support and having an outer journal portion and in inner non-circular dogging portion including a plurality of adjacent dogging edges, coupler mechanism comprising inner and outer'spacedapart'plate members, the outer plate member being journalled on 'saidfiournal portion and the inner plate member being provided with'a plurality of openings arranged in a predetermined pattern adapted to receive a plurality of projections of'a matching pattern on' a coupling device secured to said end of the roll, and latching means including a plurality of leaf spring members supported for rotation with said'coupler mechanism between said plate members and adjacent said openings, said spring members having inner latching edges engageable with said dogging-edges to effect said latching of the coupler mechanism when the roll is unsupported-on said support, and said leaf spring'members being automatically disengageable'fromsaid dogging edges to allow free rotation of said coupler mechanism-when said projections engage the spring members upon insertion of the projections through said openings.

'5. Means for rotatably'and 'detac'hably supporting a supply roll end on a'roll support and which is automatically latched-against rotation on said support when a'roll is unsupported thereon to thus facilitate mounting of a fresh roll on said support, comprising a stud member secured to said support and having an outerjournal portion adjacent 'oneend thereof and an inner non-circular dogging portion'including 'a plurality of adjacent dogging edges adjacent the opposite end thereof, coupler mechanismcomprising inner and outer-spaced apartplate members fixedly secured together and providing 'a housing the'rebetween, the outer plate member being journalled on said journal portion'of said stud member and the innerplate member overlying the inner end ofsaid' stud member whereby both of said plate-members are rotatable as'a unit about said stud, said" inner plate member having a plurality of openings arranged about said dogging edges of said stud with each opening opposite a dogging edge, said openings being adapted to receive a plurality of projections on a coupling device secured to said end of said roll, and latching means including a pluralityof leaf spring members within said housing of said'coupleri'mechanism and fixedly secured for rotation therewith with each spring member overlyingan opening, each of saidspring members having an inner latching edge engageablewith a dogging edge of said stud member to effect said latching of thecoupler'mechanisrn whenthe 8 roll is unsupported on said support, and said spring members beinggautornatically disengageablet'from said dogging edges to allow free rotation of said coupler mechanism when said projections engage'the, spring members upon insertion of the projections through said :openings.

6. Mount-ingmeans for a supply roll of sheet material in a towel dispensing cabinet or the like, said cabinet including a coupler mechanism having a plurality of open-' ings therein, a couplingdevice on said-supply roll secured to anend portion thereof adjacent the axis of the roll and includinga plate member extending transversely of'said roll axis'over said end portion, a plurality of projections on said plate member adapted to project into said openings in said coupler mechanism for supporting'said roll, said projections being arranged on said plate member in a predetermined patternencircling said roll axiswith at least some of'said-projections of different cross sectional shape; than other of said projections, and the openings in said-coupler mechanism being in a matching pattern and shape with-the projections on said plate member-whereby said coupling device can be "connected to said-coupler mechanism only when the respective projections and openings are in'registry, and means for facilitating such registry comprising a key member of'non-circular-cross section on saidplate member located outwardly "beyond said. projections between said projections and an edge of saidlpla'te member, said coupler mechanism having a slotted keyway open to an edge of said coupler mechanism and of substantially the same shape as the cross sectional" shape of said key member whereby'saidfkey rriembertfits Without turning in said keyway to provide initial alinement between said projections and openings.

7. The mounting means of claim 6 in which'the end face ofsaid key member projects beyond theend-faces of said projections.

References Cited in the fileof this patent "UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,8Q9,267 Cushing June 9, 1931 1,919,769 Brown et al. July 25, 1933 2,236,993 Crebbs Apr. 1, 1941 2,637,503 Birr May ,5, 1953 2,693,321 'Birr vNov. 2, 1954 2,726,823 Jesperson Dec. 13, 1955 

